Home Inspection – Roofing Exam Questions and Answers |New Update with
100% Verified Answers
The roof covering is typically part of the structure of the home. True of False? False
Is a sloped roof waterproof? Explain. No--they just shed water like an umbrella. They are not
designed to control standing water.
What is the pitch of the roof and how is it usually expressed? The slope expressed as the
ratio of the rise over the run.
What are 4 overall goals of the roof inspection? 1. Identify the roofing material.
2. Determine whether it was properly installed.
3. Determine whether it is performing properly or leaking.
4. Determine whether it is near the end of its life.
What are the limits to a roof inspection? Fasteners, flashing, and at least half of the roofing
materials are concealed. The inspection is also not complete until you look at the underside of
the roof.
Why can a minor leak be more of a problem than a major one? A minor leak can cause
considerable damage before it is noticed.
List 9 common roof problems. 1. old
2. damaged
3. patched
4. missing materials
5. exposed fasteners
6. poor installation
,7. vulnerable areas
8. ice dam potential
9. multiple layers
On a 10-year old house, how old would you expect the roof to be? 10 years old
What are some of the causes of aging? exposure to uv light; wind exposure; ventilation;
pitch; complexity; foot traffic; concentrated water; tree branches; color
Which side of the roof will age more quickly in climates where UV light is the main aging factor?
south and west (Worded Differently)
In general, is there a higher risk of leakage at a patched area of roof? yes (Worded
differently)
Anything that restricts the drainage of water is a vulnerable area. Give as many examples as you
can. butterfly roofs; wide chimneys near the edge of the roof; skylights; drains from upper
roof discharging onto lower roofs; changes in materials; asymmetric valleys; changes in slope;
anything that obstructs drainage.
What things might you see that suggest patching has been done on a roof? 1. asphalt-based
products on the roof surface
2. caulking
3. different roofing or flashing materials
Once a roof is installed, can you see all the important installation details? No
What is an ice dam? A buildup of ice at the bottom of the roof.
, What causes ice dams? Heat loss through the roof leading to melting of snow. This water
then refreezes when it gets down to the colder eaves area.
Which style of roof (slope and soffit width) is most prone to ice damming? Low-sloped roof
with a wide soffit.
What areas of a roof are most prone to ice damming? north slopes; bottom of valleys; low-
sloped roofs; roofs with changing slopes; roofs with wide soffits; roofs over porches and
balconies.
List the clues that a house may have had or be prone to ice damming. Evidence of damage
at wall-ceiling intersection.
Stained siding near the soffits
Leakage through windows.
Etc.
What are 3 possible actions to minimize ice damming? Upgrade insulation and ventilation;
add eave protection; or add electric heating cables.
Which is the best of the 3 options above? Upgrade attic insulation and ventilation
What are the drawbacks to adding a second layer of roofing over a first? 1. The dead load is
increased.
2. Nails may not be long enough to penetrate to the roof sheathing.
3. Old flashings may not be replaced.
4. The roof sheathing can't be properly inspected.
5. Roofing materials may not dry properly.
100% Verified Answers
The roof covering is typically part of the structure of the home. True of False? False
Is a sloped roof waterproof? Explain. No--they just shed water like an umbrella. They are not
designed to control standing water.
What is the pitch of the roof and how is it usually expressed? The slope expressed as the
ratio of the rise over the run.
What are 4 overall goals of the roof inspection? 1. Identify the roofing material.
2. Determine whether it was properly installed.
3. Determine whether it is performing properly or leaking.
4. Determine whether it is near the end of its life.
What are the limits to a roof inspection? Fasteners, flashing, and at least half of the roofing
materials are concealed. The inspection is also not complete until you look at the underside of
the roof.
Why can a minor leak be more of a problem than a major one? A minor leak can cause
considerable damage before it is noticed.
List 9 common roof problems. 1. old
2. damaged
3. patched
4. missing materials
5. exposed fasteners
6. poor installation
,7. vulnerable areas
8. ice dam potential
9. multiple layers
On a 10-year old house, how old would you expect the roof to be? 10 years old
What are some of the causes of aging? exposure to uv light; wind exposure; ventilation;
pitch; complexity; foot traffic; concentrated water; tree branches; color
Which side of the roof will age more quickly in climates where UV light is the main aging factor?
south and west (Worded Differently)
In general, is there a higher risk of leakage at a patched area of roof? yes (Worded
differently)
Anything that restricts the drainage of water is a vulnerable area. Give as many examples as you
can. butterfly roofs; wide chimneys near the edge of the roof; skylights; drains from upper
roof discharging onto lower roofs; changes in materials; asymmetric valleys; changes in slope;
anything that obstructs drainage.
What things might you see that suggest patching has been done on a roof? 1. asphalt-based
products on the roof surface
2. caulking
3. different roofing or flashing materials
Once a roof is installed, can you see all the important installation details? No
What is an ice dam? A buildup of ice at the bottom of the roof.
, What causes ice dams? Heat loss through the roof leading to melting of snow. This water
then refreezes when it gets down to the colder eaves area.
Which style of roof (slope and soffit width) is most prone to ice damming? Low-sloped roof
with a wide soffit.
What areas of a roof are most prone to ice damming? north slopes; bottom of valleys; low-
sloped roofs; roofs with changing slopes; roofs with wide soffits; roofs over porches and
balconies.
List the clues that a house may have had or be prone to ice damming. Evidence of damage
at wall-ceiling intersection.
Stained siding near the soffits
Leakage through windows.
Etc.
What are 3 possible actions to minimize ice damming? Upgrade insulation and ventilation;
add eave protection; or add electric heating cables.
Which is the best of the 3 options above? Upgrade attic insulation and ventilation
What are the drawbacks to adding a second layer of roofing over a first? 1. The dead load is
increased.
2. Nails may not be long enough to penetrate to the roof sheathing.
3. Old flashings may not be replaced.
4. The roof sheathing can't be properly inspected.
5. Roofing materials may not dry properly.
